Tag Archives: elderly

Family Caregivers You or Someone You Know

Posted on by

Often when the word caregiver is mentioned, we think of the elderly. This is especially true when referring to family caregivers. I found the following statistics enlightening:

According to a recent study by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Council on Aging (NCA):

• One in three adult caregivers is also raising a child under the age of 18.
• Someone caring for a parent has been doing so for an average of 20 hours a week for four years.
• One in three adult caregivers is helping their family member get dressed or go to the bathroom.
• Nearly two-thirds of adult caregivers take time off during the workday, while 17 percent take a formal leave of absence and 10 percent take early retirement.
• About 70 percent of adult caregivers get help from family members, friends, or neighbors.
• About 40 percent rely on help from paid caregivers.
• Someone caring for a spouse spends more than 30 hours a week directly caring for their loved one and is less likely to get help from relatives or friends.

Are you caring for someone in your home, or in theirs? If not, you probably know someone who is. Have you considered how you might be of help to them?

We know the most important thing we can give them is our prayers support and our unconditional love. Often a quick visit and a hug will help a weary soul make it through one more day.

I want to encourage you if you are a family caregiver; you are not alone. You are doing one of the most important jobs there is, caring for those who cannot care for themselves.
I pray you will be surrounded with friends and loved ones who care for you. Also, I hope you will take advantage of helps on my website and other caregiving websites.

If you or someone you know needs an extra lift, I recommend Psalm 23 for Caregivers as a great book to have on hand. There is nothing more refreshing than a look at God’s Word and the realization that He walks with us and loves us as no one else can.

Hugs,

Help and encouragement is also found in MY MOTHER MY CHILD in the store.

Refreshing Wisdom from a Young Caregiving Mother

Posted on by

My thanks to Ashley Haupt for today’s article. I appreciate her insight; I hope this will be an encouragement to all caregivers, whether for wee ones or the elderly.

My toenails depress me.

They aren’t particularly problematic. They’re perfectly functional, average toenails. But you see, I like them to be painted and pretty. Unpainted toenails, or at least MY unpainted toenails, depress me. I’m not one to get regular manicures or pedicures or even to have frequently painted fingernails. In fact, the only pedicure I’ve ever had was before my wedding seven years ago. But I do like to keep my toenails painted so that when I take off my socks and tootle around the house barefoot, they look cute instead of resembling winter mushrooms shocked by a sudden spring.

So why do my toenails depress me? Because I haven’t had time to paint them. No, that’s not entirely true. I haven’t had uninterrupted time to paint them when I felt like it and when they had time to dry. That’s more like it.

I am a stay at home mom with three kids 5, 3, and 1. I am the primary caregiver. Caregivers for the elderly or the young have much in common: constant, time-consuming responsibility that is both physical and emotional, need for respite or shared stress, and lack of time to tend to themselves.

In the grand scheme, painted toenails are a small thing, what we call a “first world problem.” But small things can add up to a broader picture of self neglect which if untended, can lead to depression. The word “depression” means “to lower in worth or value.” On one hand, we know that to serve others above ourselves is the very concept Jesus lived and died by. But on the other hand, when we lower our own worth to the point of becoming depressed, we are increasingly unable to ministry and serve others. We serve best when we have balance, loving ourselves and others, tending to both. Anne Lamott writes, “I get thirsty people glasses of water, even if that thirsty person is just me.”

Painting my toenails, eating a meal while it’s still hot, reading a book just for fun, these are small pleasures that represent pieces of the composite ME. If I deny myself everything I like, I become wasted and thin, weak and withered. I must fill up in Christ, in personal time, in small pleasures received by faith, in order to love others and serve them richly.

If you are a caregiver with primary responsibility, consider scheduling some small pleasures into your week. As you enjoy them, remember to love who you are and fill up on the love of your Creator who loves you, too. You might find yourself more refreshed and ready to serve as a result.

Read more of Ashley’s comments on her blog: 

Hugs,

My Mother My Child will make a thoughtful gift book for all ages. I am grateful for  testimonies from young and older who have been helped and encouraged.

5 Tips for Healthier Family Meals and Time Savers

Posted on by

Mothers, caregivers of the elderly, homemakers, we all have one thing in common—feeding our families. Are you, as most of us, caught up in the fast-food trap? We want to serve healthy, nutritious meals but we feel there is not enough time to get it all done so we go through a drive-thru on the way home.

For years I purchased “healthy” frozen options for our needs. They are most appealing with their colorful photos of good vegetables and lean meats. I urge you to take time to read the contents before buying; most are filled with sodium, fats, sugars and ingredients we cannot identify.

At the end of this article are a few tips that have helped me along this path.  Someone has rightfully said that without a plan to succeed, we plan to fail. I want to help you succeed in providing great inexpensive and healthy meals everyday. This is an important part of caring and in the end, provides great benefits both to you and to your loved ones.

Also, I want to introduce you to an exciting e-book I have found helpful. Although it is called Healthy Recipes for the Elderly, I can tell you from experience, the foods  will be pleasing to your entire family and give them a real boost along the nutrition journey.
Click Here!

Learn how to create your shopping list, prepare foods for storage, and dozens of helpful hints as well as great, easy to prepare recipes that will save you time and dollars.

Now, here are those promised tips:

1. Plan ahead. One thing you can plan on, you will have meals to fix every day. Rescue yourself from the hassle of last-minute shopping or grabbing a quick-to-fix meal by having your refrigerator and pantry stocked with healthy choices.

2. Know your nutritional needs; especially sugar, salt and fats. How much is too much? What are some good options to replace sugar or salt? Did you realize a cup of cottage cheese or 1/2 cup tuna fish can often contain more than a daily allowance of sodium?

3. Purchase in bulk. We use cinnamon in our cereals and many other dishes. Look for local bulk stores near you; I save about one half to two thirds on cinnamon by purchasing at our local Amish store. Is there another family that will share large packages of produce or other perishables?

4. Try new recipes. There are some wonderful alternatives to our old, familiar recipes that incorporate more vegetables and fruits and less fats and sugars.

5. Don’t forget storage items. I have wasted too much food by not having a container, bag, or aluminum foil handy to properly store leftovers. When cooking in bulk and freezing portions to use later, it is imperative that you have ample materials on hand to wrap and label properly (and date each item).

In Recipes for the Elderly I found exciting recipes for everyone which were not only nutritious and healthy;  my family really liked them. That in itself is a real plus!

Happy cooking and eating and have a great week.

Hugs,

Click here for more information Click Here!